Religion, NGOs and the United Nations: Visible and Invisible Actors in

In this review of Religion, NGOs and the United Nations: Visible and Invisible Actors in Power the bottom line is clear: this is a rigorous, fieldwork-driven study best suited to scholars, policy analysts and graduate students who want a granular understanding of how religious groups operate inside the UN system. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its empirical basis - a three and a half year study across New York and Geneva - which gives readers detailed, evidence-based insight into how religion becomes both visible and invisible in diplomatic spaces.

Key Features

• Fieldwork focus: Based on three and a half years of on-the-ground research, the book provides concrete examples of religious NGO engagement in UN settings.
• Comparative locations: Coverage of both New York and Geneva shows how practices differ across major UN hubs, offering readers a comparative lens.
• Interdisciplinary approach: Contributors from several disciplines give rounded analysis of political, social and spiritual dynamics at play.
• Visibility concept: The book explains how religion appears and disappears in policy contexts, helping readers recognize subtle advocacy strategies.
• Documented challenges: Part 1 details methodological and practical challenges of studying religion inside the UN, useful for future researchers.

Who It's For

This book is for academics in religious studies, international relations and political science, as well as NGO staff and diplomats interested in the mechanics of advocacy at the United Nations. Its emphasis on fieldwork and institutional processes makes it especially useful for readers who need empirical cases rather than theory alone.

Readers seeking a general introduction to world religions or a light survey of faith traditions should look elsewhere; this volume assumes interest in institutional behavior and pays closer attention to process, diplomacy and policy than to theological exposition.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Grounded fieldwork offers reliable, specific examples of NGO activity at the UN.
• Comparative coverage of New York and Geneva helps map differing institutional contexts.
• Interdisciplinary contributors enrich analysis with varied methodological perspectives.

Cons

• The book is specialist in tone and may be dense for casual readers seeking broad overviews.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Religion, NGOs and the United Nations is a valuable, evidence-rich resource for specialists who want to understand how religious groups navigate UN structures and influence policy. Its detailed fieldwork and comparative focus make it good value for researchers and practitioners seeking concrete case studies and methodological reflection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book include original field research?
Yes. The study is based on three and a half years of fieldwork at UN sites in New York and Geneva.

Who contributed to the volume?
The work is by Jeremy Carrette and Hugh Miall with contributions from Verena Beittinger-Lee, Evelyn Bush and Sophie-Helene Trigeaud.

Is this a general introduction to religion?
No. The book focuses on institutional behavior and diplomatic processes rather than broad theological overview.